Apparatus and method for treating objectionable odors in toilet bowls and the like

ABSTRACT

An apparatus for treating objectionable odors in a toilet bowl, the toilet bowl including a seat positioned above the toilet bowl includes a main body having an inlet opening and an airflow exit opening; means for mounting the main body proximal to the toilet bowl with the inlet opening positioned substantially between the bowl and the seat; a drawer removably securable to the main body; an air treatment chamber defined by at least one of the main body, the drawer, and a combination of the main body and the drawer; fan means for drawing gas in the inlet opening, through the air treatment chamber and out the air flow exit opening; a power source; light sensitive control assembly means connected with the fan means and the power means for detecting the presence of a person sitting on the seat and activating the fan means; and, air treatment means positioned within the air treatment chamber for removing odiferous particulates at least when the fan means is drawing gas through the air treatment chamber.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to the field of air treatment devices, and particularly to devices for eradicating objectionable odors from toilet bowls and the like.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Until the early 1800's, Europeans and Americans alike relieved themselves in chamber pots, outhouses and alleyways. Eventually, however, indoor plumbing became the standard. In America, the first city with modern waterworks was Philadelphia in 1820; the first city with a modern sewage system was Boston in 1823; and, the first toilet installed in the White House was in 1825 for John Quincy Adams.

A major contributor to the advancement of indoor toilet technology was an Englishman named Thomas Crapper. Through his plumbing fixture company, T. Crapper & Co, Chelsea, London, founded 1861, Mr. Crapper produced many improvements in the fixtures he manufactured. Crapper's name was stenciled on all the cisterns—and later, toilets—that he manufactured. It is likely because of his contributions that he is often accredited with the invention of the toilet. However, it was another Englishman named Alexander Cumming who in 1775 made perhaps the most significant improvement to the indoor toilet. While toilets to that day had emptied directly into a pipe which carried the waste to a cesspool, Cumming improved the device by adding a “stink trap” that kept water in the pipe, thus blocking the backflow of sewage gases. Absent the constant foul-smelling stench of sewer gases wafting through pipes and up into the house, the indoor toilet became an acceptable, and welcomed improvement.

While Cumming's invention addressed foul smelling gases downstream of the stink trap, treating objectionable odors developed in the toilet bowl itself has proven to be a formidable challenge. Many methods have been employed for treating and/or eliminating such odors, such as opening a window, lighting a match, spraying an aerosol deodorizer, and using a range of powered devices. The most common of such devices, the ceiling fan, is often difficult to install, requires ducting to the outside or attic, and has a flow rate that is generally too low to evacuate the odors as fast as most users would like.

One line of development for bathroom odor treatment devices encompasses devices mounted proximal to the toilet bowl and activated to draw the objectionable gases into a chamber, treat them and then exhaust them back to the bathroom area. A number of these and similar devices are disclosed in the following U.S. Pat. Nos.:

Pat. No. Inventor 5,727,262 Littlejohn 5,555,572 Hunnicutt, Jr. 5,519,897 DeSimone 5,488,741 Hunnicutt, Jr. 5,416,930 Waldner, et al. 5,403,548 Aibe, et al. 5,240,653 Ramkissoon 5,161,262 Quaintance, Sr. 4,876,748 Chun 4,748,698 Kao 4,472,841 Faulkner 4,317,242 Stamper 4,099,047 Kirkland, Jr. 3,857,119 Hunnicutt, Jr. 2,846,696 J. R. Herriott

While devices disclosed in these patents exhibit a variety of beneficial features for treating and/or evacuating foul odors from a bathroom facility, they also suffer from a variety of drawbacks. For example, the devices disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,876,748 and 5,727,262 are quite large and unsightly. Other of these patents describe devices that appear to draw the malodorous gases through some type of filter (U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,317,242, 5,488,741 and 5,555,572) or that draw the gases over a heating device before expelling them back into the air (U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,099,047 and 5,519,897). Further, many of such devices are fairly complex and therefore costly. It is believed that none of these devices achieves an acceptable balance among low consumer cost, ease of use, ease of maintenance, and most importantly, speed and effectiveness of use.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Generally speaking, there is provided an apparatus for treating and eradicating objectionable odors from toilet bowls and the like. The device is small, easy to use and maintain, and operates in a fast and efficient manner. Moreover, it may be used with a variety of commercially available products to treat and replace the objectionable odors with a wide range of pleasant aromas.

An apparatus for treating objectionable odors in a toilet bowl, the toilet bowl including a seat positioned above the toilet bowl includes a main body having an inlet opening and an airflow exit opening; means for mounting the main body proximal to the toilet bowl with the inlet opening positioned substantially between the bowl and the seat; a drawer removably securable to the main body; an air treatment chamber defined by at least one of the main body, the drawer, and a combination of the main body and the drawer; fan means for drawing gas in the inlet opening, through the air treatment chamber and out the air flow exit opening; a power source; light sensitive control assembly means connected with the fan means and the power means for detecting the presence of a person sitting on the seat and activating the fan means; and, air treatment means positioned within the air treatment chamber for removing odiferous particulates at least when the fan means is drawing gas through the air treatment chamber.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an apparatus 10 for treating objectionable odors in toilet bowls and the like in accordance with the present invention, apparatus 10 shown mounted to a standard toilet 11.

FIG. 2 is a front and side, perspective view of the apparatus 10 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a rear and side, perspective view of the apparatus 10 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a side view of the apparatus 10 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a top view of the apparatus 10 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is a side view of the apparatus 10 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 7 is a rear view of the apparatus 10 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 8 is a front view of the apparatus 10 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 9 is a bottom view of the apparatus 10 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 10 is a side, cross-sectional view of the apparatus 10 of FIG. 5 taken along the lines 10-10 and viewed in the direction of the arrows, and with drawer 16 in the removed condition.

FIG. 11 is a side, elevational view of a sponge tree 17 of FIG. 10 and of a sponge 97 partially applied to sponge tree 17.

FIG. 12 is a side, cross sectional view of drawer 16 of FIG. 10 and of sponge tree 17 and sponge 97 partially mounted to drawer 16.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of drawer 16 of FIG. 10.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of sponge tree 17 of FIG. 11.

FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view of the sponge tree 17 and sponge 97 of FIG. 11 taken along the lines 15-15 and viewed in the direction of the arrows.

FIG. 16 is a top plan view of apparatus 10 of FIG. 1 and of mounting bracket 14.

FIG. 17 is a perspective view of an apparatus 200 for treating objectionable odors in toilet bowls and the like in accordance with the another embodiment of the present invention

FIG. 18 is rear and side, perspective view of the apparatus 200 of FIG. 17

FIG. 19 is a side view of the apparatus 200 of FIG. 17.

FIG. 20 is a top view of the apparatus 200 of FIG. 17.

FIG. 21 is a side view of the apparatus 200 of FIG. 17.

FIG. 22 is a rear view of the apparatus 200 of FIG. 17.

FIG. 23 is a front view of the apparatus 200 of FIG. 17.

FIG. 24 is a bottom view of the apparatus 200 of FIG. 17.

FIG. 25 is an exploded view of the apparatus 200 of FIG. 17.

FIGS. 26 a and 26 b are circuit diagrams for the control assembly 210 of the apparatus 200 of FIG. 17.

FIG. 27 is a flow chart of the operation of apparatus 200 of FIG. 17.

FIG. 28 is cross-sectional view of the apparatus 200 of FIG. 21 taken along the lines 28-28 and viewed in the direction of the arrows.

FIG. 29 is a perspective view of the apparatus 200 of FIG. 17, with portions removed for clarity.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of the invention, reference will now be made to the embodiments illustrated in the drawings and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby intended, and any alterations or modifications in the illustrated device, and any further applications of the principles of the invention as illustrated therein are contemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the invention relates.

Referring to FIG. 1, there is shown an apparatus 10 for treating and eradicating objectionable odors from toilet bowls and the like in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention. Apparatus 10 is designed to be positioned proximal to the toilet bowl 11 of a standard toilet 12 so that odors may be pulled from with toilet bowl 11 and treated accordingly. A variety of methods may be used to support apparatus 10 in the proper position relative to bowl 11. In the present embodiment a support arm 14 is connectable with bowl 11 and is engageable with apparatus 10 to support apparatus 10 in a desired position. Referring to FIG. 1, there is shown an apparatus 10 for treating and eradicating objectionable odors from toilet bowls and the like in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention. Apparatus 10 is shown in use mounted to a standard toilet 11 by a mounting arm 14 to draw gases from within the toilet bowl 12, between the toilet bowl 12 and its seat 13, and to treat such gases, as described herein.

Referring to FIGS. 2-10, and with particular reference to FIG. 10, apparatus 10 is shown from a variety of angles and generally includes a main body 15, a drawer 16, a sponge tree 17 and a fan 18. Drawer 16 is configured to slide laterally from a closed condition (FIGS. 2-9) out and away from body 15 to an open or removed condition (FIG. 10). Body 15 is integrally molded into two mating body halves 19 and 20 that are minor images of each other. Each half 19 includes structures 21 which defines holes that align with corresponding holes in the mating other half 20 when the two halves 19 and 20 are brought together. Pins 22 extend from within the holes of one half 19 and into the corresponding, aligned holes of the other half 20 to fix halves 19 and 20 in the desired mutual alignment to form main body 15, substantially as shown in FIGS. 2-9. Similarly, mutually aligned structures 23 in both halves 19 and 20 receive an appropriate securing member such as a nut and bolt combination 24 to fix the halves 19 and 20 together. Although the present embodiment describes main body 15 comprising two mirrored halves, the present invention contemplates manufacturing main body in a variety of different ways including, but not limited to, a unibody construction or two or more parts connected with each other in any appropriate manner, so long as the resulting structure includes the primary elements described herein. As halves 19 and 20 of the present embodiment are mirror images of each other, the following description may be made with reference to only body half 19, it being understood to apply equally to body half 20, unless otherwise stated.

Main body 15 includes an upper inlet spout 26, a battery shelf 27, a filter shelf 28, a drawer compartment shelf 29, opposing front and back fan support ledges 30 and 31, respectively, bottom wall 32, front wall 33, opposing side walls 34 and 35, and rear wall 36. Upper inlet spout 26 extends forwardly from front wall 33, and itself has top and bottom walls 39 and 40 that define a generally low profile inlet spout that diverges as it extends forwardly from front wall 33 to its wide and low-profile opening 42. Apparatus 10 is to be positioned at toilet bowl 12 with the widening, low profile spout structure positioned at or between the top 41 of bowl 12 and the corresponding toilet seat 13. The widened inlet opening 42 facilitates an unrestricted draw of gases from bowl 12.

An electrical switch 44 is mounted by appropriate means such as screws (not shown) to body 15. A spring metal activation arm 45 extends from switch 44, through spout 26, out opening 42, and forwardly of spout 26. With apparatus 10 in its inactivated and rest condition (as shown in FIG. 10), a hump 46 defined at the forward end of activation arm 45 extends a predetermined amount above top wall 39, as shown. As discussed herein, when weight is applied to seat 13, seat 13 will move downwardly slightly, toward toilet bowl 12, just enough to depress activation arm 45 at hump 46, which action will pivot arm 45 at switch 44 to activate switch 44. Battery shelf 27 is sized to receive a battery 48 thereon. Extending rearwardly of battery shelf 27 and at the lateral center thereof is a shaped, vertically extending flange 50 which defines a hole 51 therein.

Filter shelf 28 is juxtaposed a sufficient distance below battery shelf 27, flange 50 and switch 44 to receive a filter 54 thereon. Filter 54 has a wafer shape and is made of any appropriate material that removes odiferous particulates from a gas that flows through such material. In one embodiment, filter 54 is made of a charcoal-based, fibrous material. Filter 54 may be positioned, and thus changed from time to time, simply by sliding it in and onto shelf 28 from the rear of main body 15 when drawer 16 is removed from main body 15 (FIG. 10). Filter shelf 28 is not a solid sheet, but rather defines one or more openings 55 therein to minimize any restriction to fluid flow therethrough. The number and size of such openings 55 may vary as desired, but it is desired to minimize obstruction to fluid flow from one side of filter shelf 28 to the other, and it is therefore desired to maximize the total lateral area of openings 55 while simultaneously providing a stable platform for supporting filter 54. Likewise, drawer compartment shelf 29 defines one or more openings 56 therein to permit unrestricted fluid flow from one side of shelf 29 to the other, and it is similarly desired to minimize obstruction to such fluid flow, and therefore desired to maximize the total lateral area of openings 56. Drawer compartment shelf 29 contributes to the support of drawer 16 and, together with filter shelf 28, front wall 33, side walls 34 and 35, and drawer 16, defines sponge chamber 59.

Extending inwardly from front and rear walls 33 and 36 are fan support ledges 30 and 31, respectively. A fan 18 is supported upon ledges 30 and 31 within fan chamber 62, fan chamber 62 being defined by drawer compartment shelf 29, bottom wall 32, and front, side and rear walls 33-36. A series of vent slots 61 are defined in bottom wall 32 and extend slightly upward along side walls 34 and 35. Fan 18 is any appropriate fan unit which preferably provides a high fluid flow rate is efficiently powered by battery 48, and is relatively quiet. Fan 18 has an upwardly disposed flow inlet to communicate with the openings 56 in drawer compartment shelf 29 and has a downwardly disposed flow exhaust to communicate with vent slots 61. In the present embodiment, fan 18 is positioned upon ledges 30 and 31 of one body half 19 and is secured within fan chamber 62 upon securing body halves 19 and 20 together. In the assembled condition, with body halves 19 and 20 secured together, battery shelf 27, filter shelf 28, drawer compartment shelf 29 and ledges 30 and 31 extend all the way across main body 15, side wall 34 to side wall 35. An arcuate projection 64 juts inwardly from side wall 34 a similar projection (not shown) juts inwardly from mating side wall 35. Projection 64 is sized to register with a complementary shaped recess in drawer 16.

A thumb switch 65 slides within a slot 66 defined in spout 26 between a forward “on” position (shown in phantom at 69) and a rearward “off” position 70. A downwardly projecting lug 71, extending downwardly from switch 65, moves in and out of engagement with activation arm 45 when thumb switch 65 is moved between the on and off positions. That is, when switch 65 is slid forward to the on position 69, projection 71 engages and pushes arm 45 downwardly at a point close to the connection of arm 45 to switch 44. Further pivoting of arm 45, as by weight being applied to seat 13, will apply sufficient additional torque to arm 45 to close switch 44. Conversely, sliding switch 65 to the off position releases the downward bias to arm 45 at switch 44 which disengages switch 44. That is, because activation arm 45 is made of spring metal or a similar material which allows it to bend somewhat over its length, pivoting of activation arm 45 by applying downward pressure to hump 46 will not transmit sufficient torque through arm 45 to switch 44 to close switch 44 and turn on fan 18 when thumb switch 65 is in the off position. The present invention contemplates the use of any appropriate switch arrangement where a switch may be closed by the slight movement of a member like activation arm 45, but where closure of the switch may be overridden by another switch such as thumb switch 65. Wires 65 extend among switch 44, battery 48 and fan 18 to complete the circuit and power fan 18 when switch 44 is closed.

An alternative embodiment is contemplated wherein thumb switch 65 acts to turn on fan 18 even where there is no input from activation arm 45. That is, when switch 65 is in the “off” position, activation arm 45 may operate as described to engage switch 44 and activate fan 18. However, where a child or very lightweight person is too light, perhaps, to activate arm 45, in view of the composition of seat 13 when sitting on seat 13, thumb switch 65 may be slid to the “on” position to activate switch 44 and turn on fan 18. Another embodiment is contemplated wherein thumb switch 65 may be connected with switch 44 and/or arm 45 to move from an “off” position, completely disabling fan 18, an “on” position, turning on fan 18 and overriding activation arm 45, and an intermediate or “seat” position whereby activation arm 45 is operable through switch 44, to activate fan 18 between on and off positions.

Referring now to FIGS. 2-15, and particularly to FIGS. 2, 3 and 10-15, drawer 16 includes rear wall 75, opposing side walls 76 and 77 and sponge shelf 78. The forwardly facing edge 80 of drawer 16 has a contour that is complementary with the rearwardly facing edge 81 of main body 15, and the lower edge 82 of rear wall 75 has a contour that is complementary with upper edge 83 of rear wall 36 of main body 15. Drawer 16 may therefore be slidingly received by main body 15 from the open or removed condition (FIG. 10) to the closed condition (FIGS. 2-9), whereby edges 80 and 81 and edges 82 and 83 come into complete abutting alignment and sponge shelf 78 slides along and atop drawer compartment shelf 29.

Sponge tree 17 has the configuration as generally shown in FIG. 14 with an upper retaining wall 86 and a central post 87 depending downwardly from the center thereof. Retaining wall 86 comprises a central spine 88 and a series of spaced apart legs 89 extending outwardly therefrom. Spine 88 and legs 89 together define both an upper retaining wall for a sponge and a compression platform that may be used to assist in rinsing out such sponge, as will be described herein. Spine 88 and legs 89 have a generally circular cross section in plan view which is approximately equal to or slightly smaller than the dimensions of filter shelf 28 so that retaining wall 86 will fit within sponge chamber 59 just below filter shelf 28. Spine 88 and outwardly extending legs 89 define a series of gaps 90 therebetween which permits fluid flow therethrough. As with filter shelf 28 and drawer compartment shelf 29, spine 88 and legs 89 are configured to maximize the fluid flow rate through gaps 90 while still providing sufficient strength to withstand a downwardly applied compression force for assembling apparatus 10 and changing or cleaning the corresponding sponge.

Central post 87 has a generally flat, rectangular configuration in cross-section with arcuate longitudinal humps 91 and 92 extending outwardly from opposing sides of post 87 and all along the length of post 87, from upper retaining wall 86 and down to the base 93 of post 87, except for a small gap 95 where humps 91 and 92 are absent. That is the absence of a section of each hump 91 and 92 on opposing sides of post 87 defines one gap of 95 at the lower section of each hump 91 and 92. The gaps 95 are located the same distance up from base 93. Base 93 has a generally circular cross section with a diameter that is approximately equal to the width of central post 87. Arcuate, longitudinal humps 91 and 92 are together generally circular in cross-section. They may have other cross-sectional shapes, whereby the shape of the corresponding combined enlarged opening (at 109 and 110 in slot 106 as described herein) will be complementary.

A sponge 97 (FIGS. 11, 12 and 15) has a generally circular cross section in plan view with a diameter that is approximately equal to the diametrical dimensions of upper retaining wall 86. Sponge 97 has a height which is approximately equal to or slightly less than the height of central post 87. Sponge 97 defines a central hole 98, the diameter of which is preferably slightly less than the width of central post 87. Sponges are available in a wide variety of configurations, construction and degrees of porosity. Typically, the more porous the sponge, the lower its capacity to retain fluids. Although because of its inherent porosity, sponges will typically permit fluid flow, and specifically gas flow therethrough, sponge 97 is provided with a plurality of additional recesses 99 and holes 100 along its height to enhance fluid flow from its top surface 101 to its bottom surface 102. These recesses 99 and holes 100 may be defined in sponge 97 in a variety of ways including, but not limited to mechanical and chemical means. Likewise, sponge 97 may be selected from a class of sponges that inherently have a high number of both large and small openings which will facilitate a high rate of fluid flow and a sufficiently high degree of material surface area. A high degree of surface area is desirable to enable sponge 97 to be impregnated with substances having particular aromas.

Referring to FIGS. 12 and 13, sponge shelf 78 includes a raised central, and laterally extending platform. Platform 105 defines a slot 106 which originates somewhat rearwardly of the center of sponge shelf 78 and extends therefrom along a longitudinal axis 107 to the forward edge 108 of shelf 78. At the center of sponge shelf 78, slot 106 has a shape that is substantially identical to the cross sectional shape of central post 87 as is viewed in FIG. 15. That is, slot 106, at the center of shelf 78, bulges outwardly, in opposing directions, at 109 and 110, to define a central, enlarged opening 104. From enlarged opening 104, slot 106 extends a short distance rearwardly at and diverges as it extends toward forward edge 108. Also, platform 105 is raised slightly above the level of the rest of sponge shelf 78, thereby creating a generally rectangular shaped, lateral slot at 112 the width 113 of such slot 112 is approximately equal to or slightly greater than the diameter of base 93 of sponge tree 17. As with filter shelf 28, drawer compartment 29 and upper retaining wall 86, sponge shelf 78 is provided with openings 114 to permit fluid flow therethrough, the total area defined by such openings being maximized to minimizing any restriction to such fluid flow.

Sponge shelf 78 further defines a pair of inwardly extending recesses 115 on opposing sides thereof and slightly rearwardly of forward edge 108. Recesses 115 are sized and positioned to register with the mating projections 64 in main body 15. Thus, when drawer 16 is moved into its closed condition (FIGS. 2-9), sponge shelf 78 snaps into registry with projections 64 at recesses 115. Such registration between recesses 115 and projections 64 firmly holds drawer 16 in the closed position relative to main body 15.

If desired, drawer 16 may be more firmly secured to main body 16, and even locked thereto to prevent unauthorized opening of drawer 16. This is accomplished by registration between flange 50 and a complementary shaped and positioned slot 116 (FIG. 13) defined in the upper portion of rear wall 75 of drawer 16. Further, drawer 16 defines a pair of curved and generally laterally extending recesses 118 and 119 and defines a bridge 120 that follows the overall contour of rear wall 75, separates recesses 118 and 119 and is in substantial planar alignment with slot 116. When drawer 16 is moved to its closed condition, flange 50 extends through slot 116, between recesses 118 and 119 and up against the forwardly facing, underside of bridge 120. Hole 51 is exposed by virtue of recesses 118 and 119, and an appropriate locking member such as a padlock may be positioned through hole 51 and around bridge 120, thus preventing the removal of drawer 16 from main body 15.

Indentations 123 are provided on opposing sides of drawer 16 to facilitate the movement of drawer 16 relative to main body 15.

In use, sponge 97, is provided either pre-scented at purchase or may be conditioned by applying a desired scent with a commercial product such as an aerosol or pump-spray, auto or room air freshener. Sponge 97 is then applied to sponge tree 17 (FIG. 11) by inserting central post 87 through central hole 98 until the top surface 101 of the sponge 97 rests against the underside of upper retaining wall 86. Sponge 97 is then manually compressed (shown at 123 in FIG. 12) up against upper retaining wall 86, as shown in FIG. 12, so that gaps 95 in humps 91 and 92 are exposed. Sponge and sponge tree combination 97/17 is then mounted to drawer 16 by sliding central post 87 through slot 106 whereby the opposing edges 121 of slot 106 are aligned within gaps 95. When sponge and sponge tree combination 97/17 reaches the center of sponge shelf 78, and arcuate humps 91 and 92 are vertically aligned with enlarged opening 104, sponge 97 may be released from its compressed position 123, which action causes the bottom surface 102 of sponge 97 to press against sponge shelf 78. Because humps 91 and 92 are aligned with complementary shaped, enlarged opening 104, sponge tree 17 may rise relative to platform 105 until base 93 engages the underside of platform 105 and within lateral slot 112. In this configuration, the lowermost portions of are nested within complementary shaped enlarged opening 104, and sponge tree 17 may be slid vertically through opening 104 and relative to platform 105. However, because the combined lateral dimension of humps 91 and 92 is greater than the width of slot 106 adjacent to enlarged opening, sponge tree 17 is constrained from moving laterally. To remove sponge tree 17, it must be moved vertically until gaps 95 align with the edges 121 of slot 106, and then sponge tree 17 may be slid forwardly out of slot 106. With this configuration, sponge tree 17 and sponge 97 are firmly mounted within drawer 16. With an appropriate filter 54 positioned atop filter shelf 28, the drawer can now be joined with main body 15, as described herein, until edges 80 and 81 and edges 92 and 93 mate, and whereby sponge 97 will be securely positioned within sponge chamber 59, below filter shelf 28 and above drawer compartment shelf 29. Apparatus 10 is now ready for operation. Upon activation of fan 18, gases are drawn in through opening 42, through filter 54, through scented sponge 79, through fan 18, and out through vent slots 61, the ejected gases now devoid of some or much of the original objectionable odors and having a desired aroma picked up from the treated sponge 97.

The sponge tree and sponge combination 17/97 also cooperates with drawer 16 to facilitate rinsing or cleaning of the sponge and related components. Upon removal of drawer 16, and without removing sponge tree 17 from drawer 16, the drawer, sponge tree, and sponge combination 16/17/97 may be positioned appropriately under a stream of water or in a container with cleaning solution or water and appropriately cleaned or rinsed. Upon removal from such water or cleaning solution, the user may compress upper retaining wall 86 toward sponge shelf 78, whereby post 87 slides through complementary shaped slot 106 and enlarged opening 104, and sponge 97 is compressed therebetween, which action squeezes the majority of fluid from sponge 97. This procedure may be repeated as many times as necessary to clean and/or rinse sponge 97. This configuration thereby generally permits the user to clean and/or rinse sponge 97 without requiring sponge 97 to be removed from sponge tree 17 and drawer 16, and further minimizing the amount of direct contact between the user's hands and sponge 97. This procedure further permits the sponge to be cleaned and/or rinsed and then for a different fragrance to be applied to sponge 97. If desired, sponge 97 may be replaced with a new sponge simply by reversing the steps for installing the sponge.

Referring not to FIGS. 1 and 16, there is shown a support arm 14 suitable for mounting apparatus 10 to a standard toilet bowl 12. Apparatus 14 includes at one end an inboard mounting section 130 and extends through a pair of bends to an outboard mounting section 131 at the opposite end. Inboard mounting section 130 is provided with an elongate slot 133 that is sized to receive a standard toilet seat mounting bolt 134. An L-shaped bracket 135 depends down from the bottom of upper inlet spout 26 (FIGS. 8-10) and over to front wall 33 to create, in conjunction with the underside of spout 26, an opening 137 sized to receive outboard mounting section 131 of support arm 14 therethrough. Support arm 14 is connected to toilet bowl 12 simply by removing one of the toilet seat mounting bolts 134 (and its corresponding wing nut or similar structure (not shown)) from its connection to toilet bowl 12, positioning support arm 14 atop toilet bowl 12, between toilet seat 13 and tank 136 substantially as shown in FIG. 1, and with slot 133 in alignment over the toilet seat mounting hole (not shown) of toilet bowl 12, and then extending toilet seat mounting bolt 134 through slot 133 and back through the toilet seat mounting hole. Bolt 134 is secured thereto with the corresponding wing nut (not shown). Apparatus 10 is then moved into position whereby outboard mounting section 131 extends through the opening 137 of L-shaped bracket 135. A set screw 140 extends up through bracket 135 to tighten against outboard mounting section 131, thereby firmly securing apparatus 10 to support arm 14.

Because toilets come in a variety of sizes and shapes, the slot 133 in support arm 14 allows support arm 14 to be adjusted to a variety of positions, and apparatus 10 may be slid along outboard mounting section 131, until apparatus 10 is in the desired position relative to bowl 12. Such desired position is substantially shown in FIG. 10 where inlet opening 42 is just above and to the outside of the top surface 41 of bowl 12. Because support arm 14 has a thickness and will raise one side of toilet seat 13 relative to bowl 12 when apparatus 10 is applied thereto, a washer (not shown) made of the same material as support arm 14 and having the same relative thickness as support arm 14 is contemplated for insertion between toilet bowl 12 and the other toilet seat mounting bolt (not shown) to raise that side to level. While standard toilet seats generally have cushion members (not shown) that are mounted to the underside of seat 13 to cushion the contact between seat 13 and bowl 12 when seat 13 is lowered, application of apparatus 10 to bowl 12 will still raise the rear of seat 13 from an otherwise level conditioned, and seat 13 will tilt forward. The present invention contemplates inclusion of replacement cushion members (not shown) to replace the standard cushion members, the replacement cushion members having a thickness that is sufficiently greater than the original cushion members to level out seat 13.

Support arm 14 and its companion washer, along with main body 15, drawer 16, sponge tree 17 and other components herein are made of any appropriate material such as plastic which can be easily cleaned by the user.

Alternative embodiments are contemplated wherein sponge 97 comprises other materials in other configurations, such other materials and configurations being capable of holding a scented material, or comprising a scented material, which can be released into a surrounding gaseous atmosphere. For example, such other materials and configurations include, but are not limited to, the wide variety of solid air fresheners currently available or to be available in the future. Thus, while the present embodiment describes the scent delivering apparatus as a sponge 97, such scent delivering apparatus is intending to include any material that releases a desired scent into the fan-induced air flow. Where sponge 97 is to be replaced by a solid air freshener, sponge tree 17 is removed from drawer 16 and the solid air freshener is placed directly atop sponge shelf 78. Alternative embodiments are contemplated wherein a solid air freshener is provided with a central tree similar to sponge tree 17 with an appropriate lower shape and configuration that mates with a complementary configuration in sponge shelf 78 to facilitate the insertion of such solid air freshener into drawer 16 without the user having to physically touch the air freshener material.

The present invention contemplates alternative means for mounting apparatus 10 proximal to toilet bowl 12. Support arm 14 is believed to be preferable since it is simple, cost-efficient, easy to use, and incorporates the structure of the standard toilet bowl. However, alternative structures are contemplated so long as inlet opening 42 is positioned as close to the gap between bowl 12 and seat 13 as possible to maximize the draw of gases from within bowl 12. That is, apparatus 10 will naturally draw gases from both inside bowl 12 and from the atmosphere outside of bowl 12 (unless the gap between bowl 12 and seat 13 is completely sealed off except for apparatus 10). The farther that apparatus 10 is positioned from bowl 12 and seat 13, the lower the percentage of toilet bowl gases that will be drawn through apparatus 10 and the less effective apparatus 10 will be. Support arm 14 permits a varied adjustment of the position of apparatus 10 relative to the bowl/seat gap, thereby enabling maximum effectiveness of apparatus 10.

Alternative embodiments are also contemplated wherein apparatus 10, having a generally flat bottom wall 32, may be used at locations other than the bathroom toilet merely by sitting apparatus 10 upon an appropriate surface.

Referring to FIG. 17, there is shown an apparatus 200 for treating and eradicating objectionable odors from toilet bowls and the like in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention. Like apparatus 10 of FIGS. 1-16, apparatus 200 is designed to be positioned proximal to the toilet bowl of a standard toilet so that odors may be pulled from with toilet bowl and treated accordingly. Apparatus 200 has a main body 201 and an extendable mounting arm 202 to enable apparatus 200 to fit a variety toilet bowl widths.

Referring to FIGS. 17-25, and with particular reference to FIG. 25, apparatus 200 is shown from a variety of angles and generally includes the main body 201, a drawer 206, an air treatment assembly 207, a fan assembly 208, a power source 209 and a control assembly 210. Drawer 206 is configured to slide laterally from a closed condition 211 (FIGS. 17-24) to an open and removed condition (as shown in FIG. 10 for apparatus 10) out and away from body 201. Body 201 is integrally molded into two mating body halves 213 and 214 that are minor images of each other. Screws 215 fix halves 213 and 214 together to form main body 201, as shown in FIGS. 17-24. Although the present embodiment describes main body 201 comprising two mirrored halves, the present invention contemplates manufacturing main body in a variety of different ways including, but not limited to, a unibody construction or two or more parts connected with each other in any appropriate manner, so long as the resulting structure includes the primary elements described herein.

Referring to the exploded view of FIG. 25, the body halves 213 and 214 together define and include an upper inlet spout 218, a drawer compartment shelf 219, a battery compartment shelf 220, fan support members 221, bottom wall 222, front wall 223, opposing side walls 224 and 225, rear wall 226 (FIG. 19), and control assembly shelf 227.

Upper inlet spout 218 extends forwardly from front wall 223 and, like apparatus 10, defines a profile shaped to aim its airflow exit opening 228 between the top of the toilet bowl and the lid when mounted to the toilet bowl and to facilitate an unrestricted draw of gases from the bowl. Below inlet spout 218, halves 213 and 214 define a recess 230 configured to receive an outside mounting cushion 231, which is made of any appropriate foam or similar material to provide a cushioned, secure, vibration, and noise dampened mounting of apparatus 200 to the toilet bowl 12. Mounting cushion 231 is affixed to recess 320 by adhesive.

Fan assembly 208 is held by fan support members 221 of body 201 between bottom wall 222 and drawer compartment shelf 219 and operates to draw air through vent slots 233 (inlet opening) defined in bottom wall 222 and up through vent slots 234 defined in drawer compartment shelf 219.

Like drawer 16, drawer 206 includes rear wall 237, opposing side walls 238 and 239 and a filter shelf 240, and its configuration is contoured to mate in the closed position 211 with the contoured forward edges 241 and 242 of side walls 238 and 239 mating with the rearwardly facing edges 244 and 245, respectively, of main body 201. Drawer 206 may thus be slidingly received by main body 201 from the open or removed condition (as shown in FIG. 10 for apparatus 10) to the closed condition 211 (FIGS. 17-24), whereby the mating edges come into complete abutting alignment and filter shelf 240 slides along and atop drawer compartment shelf 219. The filter shelf 240 and surrounding walls of main body 201 and drawer 206 combine to form an air treatment chamber for holding an air treatment assembly therein. The structure of main body 201 and drawer 206 may be modified so that the air treatment chamber is defined entirely by the main body 201 or the drawer 206 or by any appropriate combination of the two, so long as the chamber is configured to receive and hold the air treatment assembly in the path of the air flow drawn through apparatus 200.

Air treatment assembly includes a primary filter 247 and a secondary filter 248. Primary filter 247 is like filter 54 of apparatus 10, made of any appropriate material that removes odiferous particulates from a gas that flows through such material, such as a charcoal-based, fibrous material. And like filter 54, filter 247 is intended to be positioned, and thus changed from time to time, simply by positioning it onto filter shelf 240 and sliding it and drawer 206 into the rear opening of main body 201. Secondary filter 248 is an antibacterial filter, designed to remove bacteria, viruses, and other harmful and/or poisonous substances from the air. In the present embodiment, secondary filter 248 is a nano silver antibacterial filter, size Ø74*30 mm with a density of 35 ppi commercially available from Dongguan UniClear New-material Col, Ltd., Huangzhuyuan Industrial Estate, Changping, Dongguan, Guangdong, P.R.C. under the name “Nano-Silver Coated Filter”. Filter 248 uses a 35 ppi sponge produced with Nano-silver technology. It is a high-performance filter material with disinfection, antisepsis and antibacterial properties in the range of 98.8%. Like filter 247, secondary filter 248, is also intended to be positioned, and thus changed from time to time, simply by sliding it and filter 247 onto filter shelf 240 and sliding the resulting filter-loaded drawer into main body 201.

The porous material or carrier of the nano silver and carbon filter is contemplated to comprise a porous ‘bio-degradable’ material and/or carrier that, after its life, can be discarded without concern for the environment. Such material may include, but is not limited to any natural material such as coconut shell, bamboo and/or any suitable biodegradable, natural or man made material and the like. The nano silver is contemplated to be applied to the biodegradable/natural material. Control assembly 210 includes a microprocessor board 251, an input button assembly 252, an LED status light 253, and a sensor assembly 254. Sensor assembly includes standard IR emitter 258 and receiver 259, which are housed within windowed housing 260. In its assembled condition (FIGS. 17-24) housing 260 is held by halves 213 and 214 so that the windows 261 and 262 are aimed so that, as mounted to toilet bowl 12 (as described herein the beam of IR emitter 258 is directed just above the closed seat 13 (as in FIG. 1). That is, IR emitter 258 and receiver 259 are aimed to just above a closed seat 13 to detect, by virtue of the IR beam bouncing off of the person sitting on the seat and then being detected by the receiver 259, when a person sits or rises from the seat 13. In one embodiment, microprocessor board 251 contains the circuitry and components shown in FIGS. 26 a and 26 b, and the microprocessor 263 of board 251 is programmed to operate as shown in the flowchart 264 of FIG. 27. Button assembly 252 includes a button interface member 266 and a pushbutton 267. Pushbutton 267 is spring mounted above button interface member 266, which is mounted atop microprocessor board 251 to transmit button presses of pushbutton 267 directly to board 251. LED status light 253 is likewise mounted atop microprocessor board 251 and is powered and controlled thereby. In assembly, pushbutton 267 is exposed for access through an opening 268 defined in the top of main body 201, and LED status light 253 is likewise mounted for view through another opening 269 defined in the top of main body 201.

Power source 209 is a simple battery assembly (also referred to as 209) held in position primarily by battery compartment shelf 220 and a forward battery slot bracket 272 of halves 213 and 214. Battery assembly 209 includes a battery holding bracket 273, which includes a forward battery mounting plate 274 and which holds four batteries 275. Battery mounting plate 274 is received and held by forward battery slot bracket 272. Alternative embodiments are contemplated wherein power source 209 is external as opposed to internal and/or is AC instead of DC. For example, power source 209 may be an external battery pack connected by an appropriate cable. Or, power source 209 may be a standard AC wall outlet connected to apparatus 200 by a standard power cord with an appropriate adapter voltage adapter. Any appropriate power source is contemplated so long as it provides a reliable source of power to run fan assembly 208 and control assembly 210. Various wires (not shown) are provided as appropriate to interconnect fan assembly 208, power source 209 and control assembly 210.

Mounting arm 202 includes an arcuate mounting plate 279 and opposing, parallel and rearwardly extending legs 281 and 282. Mounting plate 279 has a radius of curvature to generally mate with the radius of curvature of a standard toilet bowl at the area of intended mounting (as shown in FIG. 1). On its inside surface (not shown), mounting plate 279 defines a recess configured to receive an inside mounting cushion 283, which is made of the same material as outside mounting cushion 231. Referring to FIGS. 25, 28 and 29, legs 281 and 282 are provided at their distal ends with one or more outwardly extending teeth 288. Main body halves 213 and 214 further include opposing arm guide members 290 and 291, which are each held by their respective body half 213 and 214 at posts (one shown at 292) by appropriate means such as screws. Each body half 213 and 214 further defines an arm guide surface 293 and 294, respectively, which each defines a series of indentations 295 and 296, respectively. The relative positionment of indentations 295 and 296 and of arm guide members 290 and 291 permits legs 281 and 282 to be inserted through airflow exit opening 228 and between arm guide surfaces 293 and 294 on their outsides and arm guide members 290 and 291 on their insides, as shown in FIG. 28. Although shown with just one tooth 288, each leg 281 and 282 is contemplated to have five or six teeth to enhance the resulting detent function between mounting arm 202 and main body 201. Body halves 213 and 214 are also provided with leg slide plates and release stubs (one each shown at 299 and 300, FIG. 29). Slide plates 299 are juxtaposed relative to the top 301 of main body 201 to receive and guide legs 281 and 282 as they enter opening 228. The distal ends of leg 281 include upwardly extending catches 303 and 304 sized and positioned to engage with release stubs 300 and prevent mounting arm 202 from sliding directly out of opening 228. Instead, mounting arm 202 is resilient enough to permit legs 281 and 282 to be slightly squeezed together and, when so squeezed, catches 303 and 304 clear stubs 300, and mounting arm 202 can be pulled completely free of main body 201. Insertion of mounting arm 202 is accomplished in reverse fashion by first squeezing legs 281 and 282 together, then pushing it into opening 228. Teeth 288 and indentations 294 and 296 permit mounting arm 202 to be positioned at a variety of different widths to accommodate different sized toilet bowls.

In use, apparatus 200 is mounted to a toilet bowl 12 by positioning inner cushion 231 against the outside of the bowl and then pushing mounting arm 202 into opening 228 until inner cushion 283 contacts and compresses the outside of the bowl. The teeth 288 and indention detent system will hold mounting arm 202, and apparatus 200, in position.

In operation, with apparatus 200 mounted to bowl 12 and powered with power source 209 (thus in the on condition), sitting on the seat 13 will be sensed by the IR receiver 259, and control assembly 210 will turn on the fan, pulling air in the bowl 12 through filters 247 and 248 and out exit opening 228. Control assembly 210 will continue sending out signals through emitter 258 (every 2 seconds) until the person stand up, whereupon the IR receiver 259 will detect the absence of mass formally on seat 13, and control assembly 210 will shift into a one minute mode, whereby it will shut off the fan in one minute. The additional one minute of fan operation is to keep the fan running while the toilet is being flushed. Studies have shown that toxins, bacteria, viruses, and/or poisons (collectively, “toxins”) are released into the air during and after use of the toilet. The Nano-silver filter operates to remove up to 98.8% of such toxins from air passed therethrough, thereby reducing the amount of such toxins being inhaled by persons nearby and thus reducing the exposure to and action by such person's autoimmune system. The button may be manually pressed at any time to turn on the fan and it will automatically shut off one minute later. A person may also press the button and turn off a running fan, but upon standing up, the fan will be started again (by virtue of the IR sensor 258 and emitter 259), and stay on for one minute. The times may be adjustable by programming, and alternative embodiments are contemplated wherein the additional switches or button are provided to change the timing and permit a full off mode to save battery life.

While the invention has been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and foregoing description, the same is to be considered as illustrated and not restrictive in character, it being understood that only the preferred embodiment has been shown and described and that all changes and modifications that come within the spirit of the invention are desired to be protected. 

1. An apparatus for treating objectionable odors in a toilet bowl, the toilet bowl including a seat positioned above the toilet bowl, the apparatus comprising: a main body having an inlet opening and an airflow exit opening; means for mounting said main body proximal to the toilet bowl with the inlet opening positioned substantially between the bowl and the seat; a drawer removably securable to said main body; an air treatment chamber defined by at least one of said main body, said drawer, and a combination of said main body and said drawer; fan means for drawing gas in the inlet opening, through the air treatment chamber and out the air flow exit opening; a power source; light sensitive control assembly means connected with said fan means and said power means for detecting the presence of a person sitting on the seat and activating said fan means; and, air treatment means positioned within the air treatment chamber for removing odiferous particulates at least when said fan means is drawing gas through said air treatment chamber.
 2. The apparatus for treating objectionable odors in a toilet bowl of claim 1 wherein said drawer includes a closed condition securing said air treatment means within said air treatment chamber, and an open condition exposing and enabling removal of said air treatment means.
 3. The apparatus for treating objectionable odors in a toilet bowl of claim 1 wherein said air treatment means includes a primary filter and a secondary filter.
 4. The apparatus for treating objectionable odors in a toilet bowl of claim 3 wherein the primary filter is operable in the path of flowing gases therethrough to remove odiferous particulates from such flowing gases.
 5. The apparatus for treating objectionable odors in a toilet bowl of claim 4 wherein the primary filter is a charcoal-based, fibrous material.
 6. The apparatus for treating objectionable odors in a toilet bowl of claim 4 wherein the secondary filter is an antibacterial filter for removing at least one of bacteria, viruses, and poisonous substances from gases flowing through it.
 7. The apparatus for treating objectionable odors in a toilet bowl of claim 6 wherein the secondary filter is a nano silver antibacterial filter.
 8. The apparatus for treating objectionable odors in a toilet bowl of claim 6 wherein the secondary filter has a size of about Ø74*30 mm with a density of about 35 ppi.
 9. The apparatus for treating objectionable odors in a toilet bowl of claim 1 wherein said control assembly includes a sensor assembly operable to detect changes in light passing between the toilet bowl and toilet seat.
 10. The apparatus for treating objectionable odors in a toilet bowl of claim 9 wherein the sensor assembly includes an IR emitter and receiver aimed between the toilet bowl and toilet seat.
 11. The apparatus for treating objectionable odors in a toilet bowl of claim 10 wherein said control assembly further includes input means for manually activating and/or deactivating said fan means.
 12. The apparatus for treating objectionable odors in a toilet bowl of claim 9 wherein said control assembly further includes microprocessor means for controlling the activation and/or deactivation of said fan means in response to input from the sensor assembly.
 13. The apparatus for treating objectionable odors in a toilet bowl of claim 12 wherein said control assembly further includes input means for manually activating and/or deactivating said fan means. 